OBF’s second-half outlook for Patriots

2012 Patriots Primer. As the Patriots rest up for their second-half run starting Sunday against Buffalo, we decided it was time for a sequel. We took out the Magic 8 Ball, but it offered no answers except “The secondary is horrible,” “Avoid the Giants in the Super Bowl” and “Sign Kevin Youkilis.” Boldly and on our own, we offer a few things to expect over the second-half of the season."/>

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

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| 11.05.12 | 1:43 PM

<b>By Obnoxious Boston Fan</b><br>Before training camp, we offered a <a target="new" href="http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/2012/07/20/obnoxious-boston-fan-patriots-season-primer/jjoM9rEyn1tX67tlrO3riM/pictures.html">2012 Patriots Primer</a>. As the Patriots rest up for their second-half run starting Sunday against Buffalo, we decided it was time for a sequel. We took out the Magic 8 Ball, but it offered no answers except “The secondary is horrible,” “Avoid the Giants in the Super Bowl” and “Sign Kevin Youkilis.” Boldly and on our own, we offer a few things to expect over the second-half of the season.
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A toss-up between Spikes and Lloyd with Bolden coming in a close third and Deaderick fourth. Spikes continues to make as much impact on the field as he does on Twitter, with three forced fumbles, multiple hellacious hits and – if his current pace continues – exactly 100 tackles this season. Meanwhile, Lloyd should finally figure out where Tom Brady is going to throw the ball and emerge as the vaunted deep threat (meaning more than 15 yards downfield) the Patriots have been looking for since Randy Moss. Lloyd has been more than willing to fully embrace “The Patriot Way” – unlike other diva receivers in recent years. "/>

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

<b>The best "Brandon" is: </b> A toss-up between Spikes and Lloyd with Bolden coming in a close third and Deaderick fourth. Spikes continues to make as much impact on the field as he does on Twitter, with three forced fumbles, multiple hellacious hits and – if his current pace continues – exactly 100 tackles this season. Meanwhile, Lloyd should finally figure out where Tom Brady is going to throw the ball and emerge as the vaunted deep threat (meaning more than 15 yards downfield) the Patriots have been looking for since Randy Moss. Lloyd has been more than willing to fully embrace “The Patriot Way” – unlike other diva receivers in recent years.
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AP

<b>Wes will still be best: </b> Wes Welker’s already made several “if only he could have done that in the Super Bowl catches this season.” He discovered Twitter and a few other social media apps in the offseason, so that has probably helped his eye-hand coordination. A week or so in the Hoodie’s dog house didn’t hurt either. His success in the second-half of the season will continue (he has 60 catches for 736 yards and 2 TDs), even if Gisele doesn’t want to invite him to Brady Family Christmas party.
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AP

<b>The new Law Firm emerges: </b> The partners will be the linebacker trifecta of Spikes, Mayo (as in Jerod, who led the NFL with 79 tackles heading into the bye) and Hightower. Their office is in the same building as Dewey, Cheatem and Howe. Dont'a Hightower rolled to two national titles with the Crimson Tide in three seasons. Nick Saban may coach him again some day in New England, depending on when Belichick retires. They will continue to wall off opposing rushers, especially once Hightower gets back to 100 percent health. The big test comes against the 49ers, who lead the NFL in rushing with 168.6 yards per game, on Dec. 16 in Foxboro. Ho-Ho-Hopeful.
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AP

<b>Ridley won't fumble his shot at No. 1: </b> Ben-Jarvis Green-Ellis’ record of fumble-free perfection with the Patriots spanned three-and-a-half seasons. Stevan Ridley got his first fumble out of the way this season in Week 4 against the Broncos and followed it up with another a week later. Doghouse. He roared back and led the NFL with 716 yards rushing heading into the bye. Shane Vereen was unable to seized the job, nor is he ready for it. Bolden has been out with a knee injury and Danny Woodhead is most effective when teams don’t expect him to run. Ridley should solidify his role as the team’s No. 1 back and not lose another fumble – until the playoffs.

<b>Plenty of stuffing: </b> The biggest turkey on Thanksgiving will be the Jets’ offense, which ranked 27th heading into their bye week. As of website refresh time – Mark Sanchez was still the starting QB and Tim Tebow was still “playing” for the Jets. Tebow has himself a girlfriend now, actress Camilla Belle (Stand up if you’re not an actress). The two were spotted being “overly affectionate” this week in public and the internet exploded. Of course, for Tebow, that means two tweets and a handshake. Wonder if he’ll let <em>her</em> get to second base before the Jets get their first win against a team over .500?
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AP

<b>Toughest test before playoffs: </b> The Houston Texans and J.J. (Mega)Watt come to Foxborough on Monday, Dec. 10, in what will be the toughest pre-playoff test for the Patriots. The Texans were the pick of many to be the best team in the AFC this year – not me – and have done little to prove otherwise. Matt Schaub (93.1 rating, 10 TDs, 4 INTs) is solid enough to pick apart the Patriots deep. The Texans defense has the makeup to terrorize Brady all night. Brady might want to load up on Tylenol before this one. The Patriots will need a win here to have any hope of homefield throughout the playoffs.

<b>Moss on radar again: </b> Randy Moss returns to New England as a member the 49ers on Dec. 16 – assuming he doesn’t do something idiotic and get cut in the interim. Depending on the personnel in place by then, he might be an all-too-tempting target for Alex Smith deep down field. We learned not to assume that any quarterback – even one as inconsistent as Smith – can’t take advantage of the Patriots deep. At least the Patriots might have a shot at handling Moss and other deep threats with Aqib Talib playing deep corner – assuming Talib can stay away from CVS after his testing-positive-for-Adderall suspension ends next week.
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AP

<b>Big numbers for Brady: </b> Brady went on a rampage against the Rams and could post similar numbers against the Dolphins (27th vs. the pass heading into Week 9) whom he plays twice, the Jaguars (23d) and the Bills (22d), whom he destroyed on Sept 30. The last time Brady played at Miami he left South Florida with 517 yards passing. Things will be a little tougher against San Francisco (2d vs. the pass) and Houston (5th). Not every team in the league has figured out what the Giants seem to know about how important it is to pressure and hit Brady on as many plays as possible. And we hope no one tells them. No MVP this season, but good enough for a playoff run.
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Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe

<b>Where are they going? </b> Despite all their inconsistencies, Patriots should win the AFC East by default. The schedule seems laid out for an 11-5 or—at worst—10-6 finish. The loss in Baltimore could cost them a first-round bye, as they have to make up two games on the Ravens. Watch out for Andrew Luck (who threw for 433 yards Sunday) and the Colts on Nov. 18. The health of Rob Gronkowski—who has elevated his spiking if not TD production to record levels—and Aaron Hernandez will determine if Patriots have enough firepower to outgun any playoff potential opponent eager to shred their secondary. As far as a potential Super Bowl, never count out Brady and Belichick against anyone—except maybe the Giants.
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